Veteran meteorologist shares weather insights

Alberta farmers and ranchers know that no two growing seasons are alike. From heavy rainfall in central Alberta to persistent drought in other regions, weather this year continues to be one of the most unpredictable factors shaping agriculture.

In the latest episode of The Bovine podcast, host Kara Mastel spoke with long-time meteorologist David Spence, now a contributor with Rural Roots Canada, about the weather patterns producers have been facing and what may lie ahead.

Spence notes that conditions have varied sharply across the Prairies:

• Central Alberta has benefited from “an embarrassment of riches” in rainfall, leading to healthy-looking crops.
• Southern Alberta remains very dry despite some relief in July.
• Northern and eastern Alberta producers continue to struggle with limited moisture.
• Manitoba and parts of Saskatchewan face widespread drought.

While July brought significant rain that eased concerns in many regions, Spence notes timing is just as critical as total amounts. “You need the rain in May and June for seeding and germination,” he explains. “This year it came late, which is not ideal for agriculture.”

Looking ahead, Spence says the heavy rainfall in regions such as central Alberta will likely recycle back into the atmosphere, fueling more showers and thunderstorms into August. However, dry regions are expected to stay dry. He also cautions that Alberta’s traditional seasonal patterns may be shifting. “We can no longer rely on wet springs and dry summers,” he says. “Fall, too, has been shrinking — often giving way to winter almost overnight.”

On the technology front, Spence sees promise in the use of artificial intelligence for weather forecasting. While conventional models take hours to produce updates, AI-driven models generate forecasts within seconds and are showing surprising accuracy. “The AI forecasts are not perfect, but we can’t ignore them anymore,” he says.

Despite advances, Spence reminded producers that weather forecasting will never be exact. “Don’t shoot the messenger. Nature has a way of throwing good forecasts in the trash,” he jokes.

Spence continues to share weekly agricultural weather updates through Rural Roots Canada, available online and through radio stations across Western Canada.

Tune in to Spence on The Bovine podcast.